WAL-MART HEIRS POUR RICHES INTO EDUCATION REFORM
Wal-Mart's founders transformed U.S. business. Now they are taking on a
very different subject: the nation's public schools. The Waltons -- the
USA's richest family -- have quietly become top philanthropists in
education reform, including controversial charter-school and
school-voucher causes, reports Jim Hopkins. They have donated at least
$701 million to education charities since 1998.That pales beside the $1.05
billion given to education by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. But the
Waltons' giving could soar to as much as $1 billion a year as they shift
more riches to charity. How much more? John Walton, one of founder Sam
Walton's four children, says the family expects to donate as much as 20%
of its $100 billion in Wal-Mart stock. The shift could spur far-reaching
education reform, say experts on philanthropy and education.http://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/2004-03-11-waltons_x.htm